Hello Sam, tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do and how old are your children and what happens with your kids when you are at work?
I’m the CEO of an Insurance business, my kids are at school but when not both myself and my partner share the responsibility between us. In fairness she probably picks up more than me currently as she’s taken a break from her career in the city to write a children’s book so is at home more than I am.
1. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW BEING A WOMO MAKES YOU FEEL?
Conflicted
2. WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD JUGGLING KIDS AND WORK?
My daughter barrelling in when I was a important zoom call, shouting show me the money.
3. WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANOTHER WOMO?
Don’t beat yourself up the kids aren’t keeping score.
4. WHAT’S THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SLEEP YOU’VE GONE TO WORK ON AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
About 2 hours when my oldest was a new born, coped badly :). I was actually seeing tracers in the board room
5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS A WOMO?
There’s something I love more than my business.
6. IF YOU HAD A WORKING MOTHER’S ANTHEM OR MANTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Just keep swimming.
7. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE TO COMBAT WOMO GUILT THE BEST?
A night out dancing or a massage at a spa!
8. WOULD YOU RATHER BE DEALING WITH A TANTRUM OR PRESENTING IN A BOARD MEETING?
Definitely presenting.
9. IF YOU ASKED YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOUR JOB IS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?
To keep us safe.
10. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU BECAME A WOMO?
The kids are just happy to spend time with you, don’t beat yourself up and don’t try and be perfect.
11. TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WOMO ACHIEVEMENT?
Keeping the kids alive :)
12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS?
That life is a series of trade-offs, you can have fun and the things that you want, but you have to work to get them but somethings are also free so only work for the stuff you really need and want and spend as much time as you can with the people you love.